Pain Relief and Stress Free Acupuncture in Los Angeles and Silicon Beach.
Are you in pain?
Low back pain from sitting all day? Dry eyes from staring at the computer screen? Sciatica pain from sitting in rush hour traffic? Wrist pain from using the mouse? Neck tension from poor posture? Shoulders feel heavy with pressures of meeting project deadlines? Hypochondriac pain and abdominal distention? Constipation or diarrhea? Migraines? Headaches from long hours of work? Jaw pain from grinding your teeth at night? Feeling overworked? Adrenal fatigue? Can't concentrate? Foggy head? Feeling out of whack? Bad sleep? Feel tired and not fully rested even with caffeine? Too much thinking? Excessive worry? Anxiety? Just feeling "burnt out"?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is the saying "If there is free flow, there is no pain. If there is pain, there is no free flow." So what acupuncture promotes is the "free flow" of energy in your body. And sometimes we need to "reboot the system", our nervous system or just "shut it down" for a bit. A little IT analogy for you.
​
Are you "stressed out"?
Stress is normal and part of daily life. What is important is how we manage our stress. Stress is a state of imbalance and disharmony which leads to being at "dis-ease". Flow freely with stress.
Why does stress matter?
Majority of all doctors' visits are for "chronic stress" related ailments and complaints. Stress can elevate blood pressure, increase heart rate and appetite, decrease blood flow, disrupt sleep, digestion, circulation, decrease arterial elasticity, and weaken the immune system (susceptible to infections and cellular mutations that can lead to cancer).
Is stress bad for us?
Not all stress is necessarily detrimental to our well being. Acute stress may be good, but "chronic stress" has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, depression, osteoporosis, impaired immunity, dementia, possible cancer, insomnia, obesity, frequent infections, IBS, acid reflux, and chronic pain.
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture may recalibrate the nervous system by down modulating the sympathetic "fight or flight" response and regulating the stress response. Acupuncture can activate the parasympathetic "rest, digest, feed, breed, rejuvenate, relaxation" response to achieve homeostasis, thereby triggering the body's own self-healing mechanisms. Studies have shown acupuncture as an effective treatment for stress by decreasing cortisol, the stress hormone. In addition, acupuncture may treat pain by releasing the body's own natural painkillers called endorphins.
Traditional Chinese Medicine focuses on balancing out the system by unblocking stagnation and promoting the smooth free flow of energy.
With proper diet, exercise, sleep, meditation, and positive attitude, it is possible to be free from disease. We want to be healthy in mind, body, spirit, emotions, environment, relationships, family, friends, finances, career, and in general overall well being.
​
Acupuncture is not a one-shot deal. It works cumulatively, meaning one treatment builds on the next. Therefore, some need a series of treatments.
Steve i. Han
(Licensed Acupuncturist)
I do not pretend to be a miracle worker. In fact, I do not even see myself as a healer, nor a doctor, because I do not see my patients as "sick people". Rather I consider myself just a friendly teacher and a good listener focused on patience, not patients. In latin, "docere" or doctor means teacher. I listen to your story, mindset, way of thinking, posture, pulse, body, and energy. Our relationship is a confidential, friendly partnership based on trust and team work. We come up with a plan to find balance and flow in your life. I cannot help you without you helping yourself. Therefore, it is called SELF-HEALING. I can only give you the recommendation, but you have to walk the path.
My goal is to share with you the treasures of both eastern and western medicine so you have the tools to take care of yourself. Let acupuncture recalibrate your nervous system without drugs or surgery. Let's get together and start living that healthy lifestyle you deserve. Start feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Happiness and health go hand in hand.
About Me
In my early years, I had no intention of getting into medicine. At UCLA, I studied Philosophy contemplating subjects such as the meaning of life, existence, free will, happiness, reality, fairness, immortality of the soul, etc. After graduation, my intention was to go to law school, but I became a licensed investment broker instead. I was chasing fast money with all the market's ups and downs. After seven years, I got burned out. In the business world, I saw how people gave up their health in order to gain wealth. It seemed like everybody was on some form of medication, for mental, emotional and physical ailments. Many business people ate junk food, smoked cigarettes, and drank excessively. It seemed like everyone lived in chronic stress. How can pharmaceutical drugs, cancer, heart attacks, strokes, obesity, high blood pressure, Diabetes-2, high cholesterol, etc. be the norm? Is this what happens when one gets caught up in the American rat race? As I saw some of my family members and business partners fall ill, I knew that money wasn't everything. Don't get me wrong. Financial stability is important. But in my opinion, one's greatest asset is one's health. I believe it is possible to balance work with play, to harmonize wealth with health. Moderation and discipline is key. Ignorance is no excuse. You are the creator of your life!
Throughout my college and broker days, martial arts kept me grounded, focused, and disciplined. I started my martial arts training in 1994 as a troubled youth in need of guidance. I witnessed how the martial arts gave children the greatest gift of self confidence. I saw transformations of ill health to vibrant beings. My interest in Qi-Gong and Taoist philosophy sparked my interest in the healing arts and acupuncture. It's a natural Yin and Yang compliment and transition from the external martial arts to the internal healing arts. I continue to train with a focus on reality based self-defense.
In Taoist philosophy, there are three realms of existence: Heaven, Earth, and Man. As human beings, our purpose in life is to be the bridge between Heaven and Earth, that is to unite Heaven and Earth. So, I will act as a vessel for the flow of the Tao, and thereby fulfill Heaven's mandate which is my DESTINY to be a TCM practitioner. Taoism teaches one to seek balance in a chaotic world, to live simply with nature, and to nurture peace within. In Eastern Medicine, there is the concept of Shen or Spirit. It is the Shen that we must re-align with in order to heal the body or mind.
I have learned that the greatest challenge in healthcare is to persuade people to behave in healthier ways. Health is affected only marginally by medical interventions. Most diseases are caused by the individual's behavior and poor choices. I saw firsthand how Type-2 Diabetes undermined my mother's physical health. I witnessed how my uncle's alcoholism led to his insanity and eventual death. I saw how my father's gambling addiction raked away at his spirit. And I am frustrated over my brother's autism spectrum. Ultimately, everyone seeks harmony in their life.
PAIN SPECIALIST: I have studied orthopedics acupuncture under Dr. Don Lee, Dr. Benny Lin, and Dr. Jevon Li at Yo San University. In addition, I have studied Dimitri Boules' Oakpoint Method, Rich Hazel's Motor Point Acupuncture, and Dr. Anthony Lombardi's EXSTORE system for treating musculo-skeletal conditions, as well as continuing education units with Matt Callison (Sports Medicine Acupuncture) and Michael Corradino (Neuropuncture). For efficacy, I use traditional acupuncture, motor points acupuncture, distal points acupuncture, and manual therapies such as cupping, tuina acupressure, and guasha in my practice in treating a wide range of conditions ranging from chronic low back pain, neck and shoulder pain, "frozen shoulder", "golfer's elbow", "tennis elbow", wrist pain, carpal tunnel, ankle sprains, TMJ jaw pain, to insomnia, anxiety, stress, digestive issues, and migraine headaches.
MY GOAL is to educate and inspire you on living a healthy lifestyle by making informed choices with an emphasis on prevention and self-cultivation. What we eat/drink and feel/think can enhance or diminish the quality of life. I believe the role of a doctor is to teach the patients so they can take responsibility for their own health. I am humanity's humble servant. I see myself as just a conduit to your SELF-HEALING, one acu-point at a time.
WHY I do what I do? One, I find great pleasure in taking away one's pain, be it physical or emotional. Two, I love the complexity of finding the root cause of one's "dis-ease". And finally, being an acupuncturist has given me purpose and meaning in my life. We cannot run away from our destiny. Everything that happens to us in our life nudges us to stay on the right path that leads us to do what we were born to do.
I vision a world with healthy people living in harmony with nature and peace with each other. If we can learn how to manage the daily stresses of modern living, we do not have to suffer from chronic illnesses. I believe we do not have to sacrifice our health to "make a living". We can "let food be thy medicine." We can live a healthy lifestyle while balancing career and family. Conceive, believe, achieve! We can do it with an attitude of gratitude!
The Healer's Oath as a Physician of Traditional Eastern Medicine
-
I promise to follow the way of a healer and physician of traditional eastern medicine.
-
I will live in harmony with nature, and teach my patients to do the same.
-
I will strive to maintain a clear and calm mind and be willing to hold myself to the highest ethical standards.
-
It will be my duty to rescue all living beings from their sufferings.
-
I will treat those in pain, confusion, or grief with compassion and care as if I, myself, have been afflicted.
-
I will treat all patients alike, whether powerful or humble, rich or poor, old or young, friends and relatives or strangers, nationals or foreigners, wise or simple, gentle and appreciative or frightened and ungrateful.
-
My purpose is to preserve the life of others.
-
I will respect the wisdom passed down to me by my teachers while always seeking knowledge.
-
I shall not emphasize my own reputation and belittle my fellow practitioners while praising my own virtue.
-
I will remain committed to growing as a healer, and let the results for my efforts naturally provide for me.
-
I will share all I have learned with others who will follow my footsteps.
-
Above all I will keep an open heart and I will not be driven by greed of material things.
-
I understand that if I move on the correct path, I will receive great happiness as a reward.
-
I will value life, even as I strive to understand and respect the process of dying.
-
With this oath, I shall fulfill my responsibilities and my destiny as a practitioner to each and every patient who seeks help from me, until I am no longer capable of fulfilling my obligations, or until the end of this lifetime.
-
****By Sun Si Miao (581 - 682) scholar, physician, and author who lived during the Tang Dynasty.
What patients are saying about Steve:
​
"All I can say is that after one acupuncture and cupping treatment with Steve, I felt a whole lot better. I loathe needles and had a little fear around that aspect, but Steve has such a gentle touch it wasn't even an issue. My shoulder pain seems to be less and my anxiety seems to be better too - after only two treatments. I plan on going once a week indefinitely."---S. S. (Beverly Hills)
"Steve is awesome - I have been seeing him for acupuncture and cupping to help with migraines and sleep. He is super knowledgeable and skilled at treatment. I love going in for my 20 minute acu-nap and waking up feeling calm and refreshed. I always walk out feeling like I've left all my tension behind." --- L.W. (Venice Beach)
​
"I see Steve every week and he's fantastic. I go for chronic pain, anxiety, and chronic illness. I'll also get cupping, which is great for my shoulder tension and pain." --- A. B. (Los Angeles)
​
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't skeptical and nervous when I first came in for acupuncture. I've been struggling with insomnia for several months and decided to try acupuncture to hopefully get some sleep. Steve was very attentive to my needs and made me feel very comfortable. He also worked on my back muscles with cupping and acupuressure which helped decrease my soreness from weightlifting! " ---C. N. (Huntington Beach)
​
"Steve provided a variety of experiences including acupuncture, acupressure, e-stimulation, CBD massage oil, and moving cupping. Specifically, Steve was able to assess and pinpoint which specific muscles were causing me pain and helped work on those to improve my posture. " ---J.W. (Fairfield)
​
"I have had the good fortune of of receiving treatments with Steve, including acupuncture/cupping/electric stimulation, for management of chronic pain in my left shoulder related to stress. After only two treatments, my posture and pain are much improved." --- A.F. (Pittston)
​
"I couldn't be happier with the incredible acupuncture I've received. Since becoming a regular customer, my sleep has greatly improved, my tension has decreased, and a lot of my general balance issues have greatly improved. I've mostly worked with Steve, who has an intuitive sense of how to work with the body and has helped improve my overall health." ---A.H. (Los Angeles)
​
"I started acupuncture and I was apprehensive to have needles poked in my skin but Steve was excellent and I barely felt anything. I had never had acupuncture before and didn't know if that would actually help but it did. After a few sessions, my sleep got so much better. I felt much less stress and even my appetite was normal again. This helped me a lot with school work as well. School can get stressful very easily but I am very grateful that I found this place to balance the stress out and take care of my mental health." ---Y. M. (Los Angeles)
​
"I came in initially super anxious and scared to do treatments, but I had heard such positive reviews from my classmates so I decided to give it a go. I have never done acupuncture or cupping, but i was desperate to relax. Right away Steve made me feel comfortable, relaxed, and safe. After the second visit, the results were incredible. I've had a good night's sleep and I have had less neck and upper back pain. " --- H.K. (Culver City)
​
​
​
